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About Your Pet Photographer

 Self-portrait with my current pack, border collies Squeeze and Mint (r).

Falling for a black standard poodle puppy changed the path of my life. 
 
I've been drawn to animals for as long as I can remember and had almost every pet you can imagine as a child. It was the early 2000s when I got my first puppy as an adult. I did my research and brought home a jet black, utterly beautiful living doll of a standard poodle puppy. He was 12 weeks old, a rather serious but well-mannered little fellow, but a bit afraid of the busy streets in my adopted hometown of Brooklyn (he came from a quiet farm in MD) and he'd entangle himself in my legs, seeking protection during our first walks in the neighborhood. He grew very quickly in weight and confidence and stole my heart just as fast! Sound familiar, dog lovers? 
 
Through this boy I named Mayday, I learned about a dog sport I’d never heard of called dog agility. Mayday loved running for the sake of it and was flying around Prospect Park in Brooklyn when a woman told me, “You should try agility with him!”
 
“I should try what with him?” I asked.
 
Well, I started agility training with Mayday. It's a feeling of pure exhilaration running sequences of jumps, tunnels, weaves, etc., alongside another species eager to learn cues and execute them as quickly as possible. Mayday was an amazing athlete and a blast to run and we became inseparable.
 
This new passion hit right up against another lifelong passion of mine — photography. Because it was at this very moment digital cameras became as good as my old Canon AE-1 Program. The instant feedback of digital imagery was mind-blowing for someone who had grown up on rolls of film: I saw an opportunity to serve fellow agility lovers by making photos of agility dogs in action and I soon left my corporate job at an online agency. And never looked back.
 
Through Mayday, I gained a whole new livelihood and I've made so many amazing, like-minded friends who love their dogs the way I love mine.
 
When Mayday was just 7 years old, I lost him suddenly and unexpectedly. I was devastated. And even though I was a photographer, I stayed busy making action shots for others and hadn't made nearly enough special images of him. This made his loss that much more painful for me.
 
That pain inspired me to focus on making more portraits and candid images of pets, with a particular emphasis on the canine-human bond. I want everyone to have exceptional, personal photographs of their pets that are crafted with care so they hold deeper meaning and offer solace when our best friends are no longer with us.

A few fave images of my current dogs

My current beloved dogs are both border collies and as a bonus they're wonderful photo assistants who help me test new backgrounds and locations. They became fast friends the moment they met when Squeeze was eight weeks old.

My red tricolor boy, Mint (as in mint condition), is a UKI International Agility Champion. Like my agility champions Ruse and Heist before him who had acting rolls in the film Trainwreck (alongside Daniel Radcliffe) and in the TV series Law & Order: SVU and FBI respectively, Mint's also an animal actor. Repped by Dognerd Animal Talent he's starred in spots for Vital Essentials raw dog food, Conair, Puracy, and Spirit Halloween, among others. Mint is six years old.

The blue merle is the queen of my heart, Squeeze, my first female dog, who just turned two. I'm training her at UDog in nearby Huntingdon Valley, PA to compete in agility and she's showing amazing potential. She'll soon make her agility competition debut.

The City of Brotherly Love (and beautiful parks)

It was by accident that I discovered northwest Philadelphia on the way to clients in 2016 and was immediately drawn to its friendly vibe, historic stone homes, and gorgeous hiking trails. I quickly sold my home in NYC and made Philly's Mt Airy neighborhood my home and happy place; this area's natural beauty enhances many of the images I make.

My photo studio is in this special little corner of the world just minutes from quiet and beautiful arboretums and gardens as well as the 1600-acre-you-can't-believe-it's-in-the-city Wissahickon Valley Park. The studio is just as close to unique local cafes and restaurants, too. This is why I encourage clients to consider a trip to Philly for their photo shoot and many do travel here from New Jersey, Maryland, New York, DC, and Virginia.

About my photo studio: It’s located on a quiet street in Northwest Philadelphia just over the border from Montgomery County. It’s a relaxing space that enjoys central air and heat as well as a separate place where dogs who aren’t working can rest. Street parking is available right out front. There are several steps up to the front door, so it’s not wheelchair accessible. If steps aren't doable for you, I can travel to you for your session.

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